William m



W. M. HORTON.

AUTOMOBllE HEADLIGHT-- APPLICATION FILED 0:0. 0. ms.

1,3213 Patented Nov. 11, 1919.

% IN [W02 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

WILLIAM M. HORTON, OF CLEVELAND, OHIO, ASSIGNOR TO THE ADAMS-BAGNALLELECTRIC COMPANY, OF CLEVELAND, OHIO, A CORPORATION OF OHIO.

AUTOMOBILE-HEADLIGHT.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Nov. 11, 1919.

Application flied December 6, 1918. Serial No. 185,321.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that 1, WILLIAM M. HORTON, a citizen of the United States,residing at Cleveland, in the county of Cuyahoga and. State of Ohio,have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Automobile-Headlights, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to headlights, a pair of automobile headlightsbeing shown herein, it more particularly relating to improved means forshifting the reflectors of such headlights simultaneously in variousdirections, whereby when the reflectors are shifted in one direction,the glare of such headlights will be prevented, while by shifting themin other directions increased efliciency thereof will be obtained, oneof the objects of the inventions being to provide electrically operativemeans for shifting such reflectors in different directions.

In the drawings accompanying and forming part of this specification,Figure 1 is a horizontal sectional "iew of a pair of conventionalheadlights, such as those usually used for automobiles with thereflectors thereof connected for simultaneous movement in ditferentdirections; Fig. 2 is a front view of the structure shown in Fig. andFig. 3 is an enlarged sectional view of the electric operating means ormotor for shifting the reflectors, this view being taken on line of Fig.2, and looking in the direction of the arrows in said figure Similarcharacters of reference indicate corresponding parts in the severalfigures of the drawings.

In the present improvement, each headlight comprises a casing 2 of anysuitable design or shape, having a lens 3 attachable thereto in anydesired manner. Each casing is provided with a reflector of somesuitable form,in the present instance the reflector of the right handlam in Fig. 1 is designated as 4, and the left and reflector as 4.; eachreflector carries the usual bulb or light 5 connected with the source ofelectrical energy in the usual manner, whereby the light is movable withthe reflector. Each reflector is provided with a pair of oppositclylocated pivot pins 6, each loosely su ported by a pivot ball 7. each ofwhich ba ls i movably carried in a slotted member or tube 8, secured tothe inside wall of the casing. This pivot construction permits thereflector to swing up or down on its pivot pins relatively to the balls,which support such pins and also permits the reflector to be swung in adirection transverse to its up and down movement due to the movement ofthe pivot pins and balls within the slotted tubes, and also permits thereflectors to be swung by a combination of these two movements in such away that the light may be thrown into different angular positions, sothat when the reflector is thrown down the glare of the lamp will beentirely prevented, while when thrown sidewise, a better View of theroad is obtained, especially when going around corners or curves, whilewhen these two movements are combined si n posts can be read, thusinsuring greater efliciency in the use'zof the headlights. For swingingthe reflectors up and down, or to return them to their-horizontalposition, one of the reflectors, as 4, is connected by a rod 9 throughthe medium of a universal connection 10, as by a ball and socket with aneccentric 11, mounted on a shaft 12, on which is secured a ratchet wheel13 adapted to be engaged by a pawl 14 ivotally carried Ry a pair of arms15 secured to the shaft 12.

he opposite end of this pawl projects as at 16 into a slot 17 of a coreor' plunger 18, whereby on the movement of the core back and forth thepawl will be operated to rotate the ratchet wheel, it being maintainedin operative engagement with such ratchet wheel by a spring 19 securedto a bracket 20 fastened to the rear of the casing 2. This bracketsupports the several parts of the motor mechanism 30. The spring 19 isin position to always return the core or plunger 18 to its forwardposition when it has been drawn rearward or backward by the magnet 21,which is carried by the bracket adjacent to the core or plunger. Theratchet wheel is maintained against slippin backward by a suitablespring pawl 19, a so carried by the bracket 20. The core 18 has acontact member 22 at its forward end in position to make contact with asimilar contact member 23 carried by a spring member 24 supported on arigidly upstanding member 25 insulated from the bracket 20. The spring19 is in position to always return the core or plunger 17 to its forwardposition to make contact with the armature or :-pl'ing contact member 24after such core l8 has been drawn to the rear or backward by the magnet.in other words, the spring l.) acts through the pawl l-l to return thecore or plunger into position to make con tact after such ()llliUt isbroken b the electro-niagnet means, so that when t e Inechanism is 'litin operation there is a continuous ma e and break between the contactportions of the core 17 and the member 2-}, to thus rotate the ratchetwheel 13 and thereby through the eccentric 11 shift the reflector, withwhich it is connected, upwardly or downwardly to the desired extent, thereflector at this time swinging on its pivot pens relatively to thebells. It will of course be miderstood that the necessary insuletionsand electrical connections not necessary to describe herein are.prorided to 'lEEIBIUEBt-IIIB properoperation of' the electro'magnet ormotor, A further detail description of. this motor and the electricalconnections is deemed uiniecessery herein as the same is describediin mycontemporaneously pending application filed December 2, 1916, Serial Jo.13*,625. a

The two reflectors are connected. by a connecting rod 26 shown aseompris'in a pairof rods coupledtogether bya coup mg 21', each member ofthe pair being pivotelly connected with .an ,earor lug;28"secu1ed;-tothe reflector. The r0626 extends-through enlau'gpd or slotted openingsfloi the, lamp casings, so that when the reflector iris shif e up or downthe companion reflector 4' Wlll move tl terewith. A. similar; motor 30'is placed in the present instance in the lamp casing cem'ying thereflector l',- butisetet right angles to the setting of the motor justdescribed, and an eccentric 31 which is similnr to the eccentric llhereiiibeiolie referred to, is therefore located at right angles to theeccentric 11, it being likewise suitably connected by links 32 with theconnecting rod 2.6 coannectin the two reflectors, or a sleeve 26' thereowhereby on the Operation of the motor 30 in a similar manner to themotor 30 hereinbcfore descrihsd, the reflector i will be shifted atrig-htangles to its up and down movement due to the shifting of theballs in the tubuler members or raceways, one in one direction and theother in the opposite direction, that is, one forwardlyund the otherrearwardly, and consequently through the connecting rod 26 the companionreflector 4 will also be shifted in a similar manner. To insure theproper parallel movement of the reflectors, they are also connected by aconnecting rod 33. comprising a pair of members coupled together by acoupling member 3-1, one of the rod members as 35 being linked by a pairof links 35 to one of the reflectors shown herein as the reflector r.

' This rod 33 extends through enlarged open inge'or 51 018.37- in thetwo casings. The linkage connection 36' provides the proper flexibleconnection between the two reflectors to perm-it proper movement thereofwhen shiftemL-while the universal connection or some similar flexibleconnection 10 provides the necessary connertion to permit movement ofthe reflectors by the motor 30' in amanncr which will be readilyunderstood. Each motor will be controlled by a proper switch-and whenthe switch of the motor 30 is operated, both reflectors will be swung upor down from their horizontal poeition inthe manner desired, and whenthe switch oi the motor 30' is operated, both reflectors will be swungsidewise or trans versely of their and down movement. Obviously aGOmhlIlflflllOIl of these up and down or sidewise movements can bereadily obtained byshiftingtflm reflectors sidewise, and then while'in;such angular position slnil'tingthem tup orndowal or vice versa, so thatthe reflectons iin the present improvement may be shiited. insuch mannerthat movements between. these two planes of mopenrent may be obtainedwhen desired.

.wllll .heinnderetooditliat the various details may be, more or lesschanged without departing, fromflthe; spirit or scope of the presentnnprow'emenh'. i. t it Like my compmienaeese.hereinbefore referred to,the pewle-me be operated mechanically insteadhofr eeetrically if pref rIt will of .conrsebemnderstood that the slotted tubesmfilintahithefballs in proper position, the rlobs (of the tubes bein ofsuitablewidtlitoreoeive the pins 6 {@115 prevent the improperdisplacement of the balls.

It will be observed that in the present improvemeut the reflector isitself directly connected with the casing, thus doing away with allintermediate connections, such as annular members, etc by compoundpivotal means, thus materially simplifying the mechanism and reducm,,the.,expense of manufacturing the same. t will also be understood ofcourse that the switches for controlling the motors can be located inany desired place, as on the steering; wheel .or dash board of theyehicle. Inpractice, of course, the connectmg. rods between the tworeflectors may be located closer together and in fact may run through asuitable tube, if desired.

1 claim as m invention:

1. The combination of a lump casing, e shiitable reflector therein,means for supporting the reflector on a shiftable horizontal ax s fortiltmg movement up or down, said axis being shiftable in a horizontalplane whereby a combination of these movements will rife-ct the movementof the reflector in different angular positions, and electricallvoperative means for shifting the reflector.

2. The combination of a lamp casing, a

shiftable reflector therein, a pair of compound pivots for supportingthe reflector at opposite sides and each compound pivot comprising apair of directly connected pivots and a guideway carrying one of saidpivots, one connected with the reflector and another with the casing andeffective to permit horizontal movement of the reflector and also thetilting thereof in every position of horizontal movement which thereflector may assume, and means for shifting the reflector.

The combination of a lamp casing, a shiftable reflector therein,compound pivotal means for directly connecting the reflector with thecasing and comprising a pair of pivot pins and a pair of balls, meansfor guiding said pivotal means, and means for shifting said reflector.

-l. The combination of a lamp casing, a shiftable reflector therein,compound pivotal means for supporting the reflector at opposite sidesthereof for tilting movement up and down and for sidewise movement in ahorizontal plane, said reflector being tiltable in every position ofhorizontal movement which the reflector may assume, and means forshifting the reflector.

The combination of a lamp casing, a shiftable reflector therein,compound pivotal means for directly connecting the reflector with thecasing and comprising a pair of pivot pins and a pair of balls, meansfor guiding said pivotal means, and electrical means for shifting saidreflector.

6. The combination of a lamp casing, a shiftable reflector therein,means for pivotally supporting the reflector at opposite sides andcomprising a pair of compound pivotal means each including a pivot pinand a pivot ball, means for guiding said ball, the reflector and casingcarrying one the pivot and ball and the other the guidin means therefor,said pivot and pivot ball eing movable together and also relatively toeach other, and electrically operative means for shifting the reflector.

7. The combination of a lamp casing, a reflector pivotally supportedtherein for tilting movement up and down and for movement in ahorizontal plane said reflector being tiltable in every position ofhorizontal movement which the reflector may assume, and means forshifting the reflector and including a connector having a universalconnection with the reflector.

8. The combination of a lamp casing, a shiftable reflector therein,means for supporting the reflector and comprising a pair of oppositelylocated pivot pins secured to the reflector, a pair of balls in whichthe pivot pins rotate. slotted members carried by the casing forreceiving said balls, and means For shifting the reflector.

9. The combination of a lamp casing. a shir'table reflector therein,means for supporting the reflector and comprising "a pair of oppositelylocated pivot pins, a pair of balls in which the pivot pins rotate, oneof said last two parts connected with the reflector, slottedmembers-carried by one of said first two parts for receiving said balls,and means for shifting the reflector.

10. The combination of a lamp casing, a shiftable reflector therein,means for supporting the reflector on a horizontal shiftable axis fortilting movement up and down, means for shifting the reflector up ordown, means for shifting the reflector and its axis sidewise, theorganization being such that the reflector may be shifted by acombination of these movements into various angular positions, each ofsaid shifting means including electrically operative means.

11. The combination of a lamp casing, 21 shiftable reflector therein,means for supporting the reflector on a horizontal shiftable axis fortilting movement up and down, means for shifting the reflector up ordown, means for shifting the reflector and its axis sidewise, theorganization being such that the reflector may be shifted by acombination of these movements into various angular positions, each ofsaid shifting means including a make and break electrically operativemeans carried by the casing.

12. The combination of a lamp casing, a shiftable reflector therein,means for so porting the reflector on a horizontal shi table axis fortilting movement up and down, means for shifting the reflector up ordown, means for shifting the reflector and its axis sidewise, theorganization being such that the reflector may be shifted by acombination of these movements into various angular positions, each ofsaid shifting means comprising an electromagnet having a shiftable core,a pawl operated thereby, a ratchet wheel operated by said pawl, aneccentric operated by said ratchet wheel and connected with thereflector, and a spring for controlling the movement of the core andthereby the pawl in one direction.

13. The combination of a pair of headlight casings, a pair of reflectorspivotally supported therein for movement in transverse directions, apair of eccentrics connected to each of the reflectors, means forconnecting the reflectors for simultaneous move ment, and means foroperating the eccentries.

14. The combination of a pair of headlight casings, a pair of reflectorspivotally supported therein for movement in transverse directions, apair of eccentrics connccted to each of the reflectors, and means foroperating the eccentrics and comprising electrically operative means.

15. The combination of a pair of headlight casings. a pair ofreflectors. compound pivotal means for supporting each of thereflectors, electrical means for operating the reflectors in onedirection, and an independent electrical means for operating thereflectors in another direction.

16. The combination of apair of headlight casings, a pair of reflectors,compound pivotal means for supporting each of the reflector electricalmeans for operating the reflectors in one direction, and an independentelectrical means for operating the reflectors in another direction, eachof said electrical means comprising an electric motor.

17. The combination of a pair of headlight casings, a pair ofreflectors, compound pivotal means for supporting each of thereflectorselectrical means for operating the reflectors in one directionand an independent electrical means for operating the retlectors inanother direction, each of said electrical means comprising an electricmotor. one located in each casing and set at right angles to the other.

18. The combination of a pair of lamp casings, a shiftuble reflector ineach of said casings, means for supporting each of said reflectors forsubstantially universal movement, means connecting the reflectors forsimultaneous movement, and means for shitting the reflectors indifferent directions and including a make and break electricallyoperative means. i

19. The combination of a pair of lamp casings, a shittablereflector ineachoi' said casings, means for supporting each of said reflectors forsubstantially universal movement, means connecting the reflectors forsimultaneous movement, and means for shifting the reflectors indifferent directions and including a make and break electricallyoperative means comprising a pair of motors.

20. The combination of a pair of lamp casings, a sbiftable reflector ineach of said casings, means for supporting each of said reflectors on ashifitable horizontal axis for tilting movement up or down, said axisbeing shiftable in a horimntal plane, means mnnecting the reflectors forsimultaneous movement, and means for shifting the reflectors indifferent directions and including a make and break electricallyoperative means comprising aupair of motors, one located in each casing.

21. The combination of a pair of lamp casings, a shiaitable reflector ineach of said casings, means for supporting each of said reflectors on ashiftable horizontal axis for tilting movement up or down, said axisbeing shiftable in a horizontal plane, means connecting, the reflectorsfor simultaneous movement. and means for shifting the rellcctors indifl'crent directions and including :1 make and break electricallyoperative means comprising a pair of motors, one lorated in each casingand one operative to shift the reflectors in certaindirections and theother operative to shift the reflectors in d i tl'ercnt di rcctions.

22. The combination of a pair of lamp casings, a shiftable reflector ineach of said casings, means for supporting each of said reflectors on ashiftable horizontal axis for tilting movement up or dovvn, said axisbeing shiftahlc in a horizontal plane, means connecting the reflectorsfor simultaneous movement, and means for shifting the reflectors indifferent directions and including a make and break electricallyoperative means comprising a pair of motors, one located in each casingand one operative to shift the reflectors in certain directions and theother operative to shift the reflectors in different directions andlocated one at right angles to the other.

'23. The combination of a pair of lamp casings, a shiftable reflector ineach of said :asings, means for supporting each of said reflectors on ashiftable horizontal axis for tilting movement up or down, said axisbeing shiftable in a horizontal plane, means connecting the reflectorsfor simultaneous movement, and means for shifting the reflectors indifferent directions and includ ing a make and break electricallyoperative means and comprising a pair of motors, one located in eachcasing and one operative to shift the reflectors in certain directionsand the other operative to shift the reflectors i-u diflerent directionsand located one at right angles to the other, and said motors being aduplicate one ofthe other.

'24. The combination of a'pairof lamp casings, a shiftable reflectorineach of said casings, means for supporting each of said reflectors on ashiftable horizontal axis for tilting movement up or down, said axisbeing shiftable in a horizontal plane, means connecting the reflectorsfor simultaneous movement, and means for shifting the reflectors indifferent directions and including a make and break electricallyoperative means and comprising a pair of motors, one located in eachcasing and one operative to shift the reflectors in certain directionsand the other operative to shift the reflectors in different directionsand located one at right angles to the other and said motors being aduplicate one of the other, each comprising an electro-magnet, ashiftable core, a pawl connected with the core, a ratchet wheel operatedby the pawl, a spring for controlling the movement of the pawl in onedirection, and means connecting the reflectors with the ratchet wheels.

25. The combination of a pair of lamp casings, a reflector in each ofsaid casings. means connecting the reflectors for simultancous movement.compound pivotal means for pivotally supporting each reflector withofduplicate elecin its casing, and a pai 7 ilter shifting the tricallyoperating mean reflectors.

26. The combination of a pair of lamp casings, a reflector in each ofsaid casings, means connecting the reflectors for simultaneous movement,compound pivotal means for pivotally supporting each reflector withinits casing, and a pair of duplicate electrically operating means forshifting the reflectors, each located in a lamp casing.

27. The combination of a pair of lamp casings, a reflector in each ofsaid casings, means connecting the reflectors for simultaneous movement,compound pivotal means for pivotally supporting each reflector Withinits casing, and a pair of duplicate electrically operating means forshiftingthe reflectors, each located in a lamp casing and one at rightangles to the other.

28. The combination of a pair of lamp casings, a reflector in each ofsaid casings, means connecting the reflectors for simultaneous movement,compound pivotal means for pivotally supporting such reflector withinits casing, and a pair of duplicate electrically operating means forshifting the reflectors, one operative to shift the reflectors incertain directions and the other operative to shift the reflectors indifferent directions.

29. The combination of a pair of lamp casings, a reflector in each ofsaid casings, means connecting the reflectors for simultaneous movement,compound pivotal means for pivotally supporting each reflector Withinits casing, and comprising a pair of pivots and a pair of pivotal ballssupported Within the casing, and duplicate means for operating thereflectors.

3 0. The combination of a pair of lamp casings, a reflector in each ofsaid casings, means connecting the reflectors for simultaneous movement,compound pivotal means for pivotally supporting each reflector withinits casing, and pomprising a pair of pivots and a pair of pivotal hallssupported within the casing, and duplicate means for operating thereflectors, one for operating the reflectors in certain directions andthe other in different directions.

31. The combination of a pair of lamp casings, a reflector in each ofsaid casings, means connecting the reflectors for simultaneous movement,compound pivotal means for pivotally supporting each reflector withinits easing. and comprising a pair of pivots and a pair of pivotal ballssupported Within the casing, and duplicate means for operating thereflectors, one for operating the reflectors in certain directions andthe other in different directions, said duplicate means comprising apair of electrical motors located Within the casings, one at rightangles to the other.

32. The combination of a pair of lamp casings, a reflector in each ofsaid casings, means connecting the reflectors for simultaneous movement,compound pivotal means for pivotally supporting each reflector withinits casing, and a pair of duplicate electrically operating means forshifting the reflectors, and each comprising a make and break electricmotor.

33. The combination of a pair of lamp casings, a reflector supported ineach of said casings for tilting movement u or down and sidewisemovement, a pair 0 means each connecting the reflectors for simultaneousmovement, and insuring a parallel movement thereof, and means forshifting the reflectors, one of said connecting means including aflexible c0nnecti0l1.,

Signed at Cleveland, county of Cuyahoga, State of Ohio, this 4th day ofDecember,

WILLIAM M. HORTON.

Gupta 0! this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressingthe Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. 0.

